Met Mr. Ouimet yesterday (Sat 5/5/12) at KI - RIP .....SOB

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I just wanted to share a brief story of my experience at the park yesterday.

Me and my girlfriend went to KI yesterday and arrived around 11:30a. The park was starting to get very crowded and since we both have passes (Platinum for me and gold for her.) we only weren't going to stick around the park long with the longer lines. We decided to ride The Racer and then we were walking down coney mall and I saw some suits. I didn't recognize them and I was trying to get a look at their name tags. One guy was named Mike. I continued walking and then realized that there were a few more suits just ahead of the other two gentleman. I stopped and was talking to my girlfriend and then I looked back at the suits and I immediatley recognized Mr. Ouimet. (I saw the video from Cedar Point a few days ago that someone linked here.) I told my girlfriend and then I started to approach him and I said, "Mr. Ouimet?" He approaced me with his hand extended and greeted me. He asked me a few questions about the park, where I lived, did I have a pass, etc. We made some small talk about the park and I told him I was a shareholder of FUN, etc.He discussed Luminocity briefly and he was VERY excited about that. I asked if the show was a hit would be seeing something similar here in the future and without saying yes he intimated that we would. Without my asking he also said, (I will not quote because I cannot remember for certain EXACTLY what he said) We need to do something for you guys down here to replace Son of Beast because there just isn't anything we can do with it. I thanked for for his time and somewhat starstuck and amazed at the man walked away with my girlfriend. We got about 150 feet away when Greg Scheid comes up and says that Mr. Ouimet said that we were loyal fans of the park, he then asks if we are going to be staying all day and I remark that I don't think so. He continues on and remarks that that was too bad because he wanted to invite us up into the International Restaurant at park closing to view the fireworks and for free soda and pizza. I was thinking to myself what a fantastic gesture! We did leave the park and we did not return which I feel like is a decision that I will be regret for a long time. I also kicked myself in the a$$ for not getting my picture with Mr. Ouimet. (I am not normally a guy that cares about famous people or moviestars - I don't care if I see them or I don't, but Mr. Ouimet is in charge of a corporation and chain of parks that I am emotionally invested in. Lol)

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I'm talking about the Son of Beast thing not the fact that he met him.

The statements that I make are almost always directed towards Son of Beast

I have said it before, the last time anyone said anything about maybe something being done with SOB was a year ago or so when the old CEO of Cedar Fair said it at Coastermania. Cedar Fair would be looking at putting over 10 million dollars or more into it just to fix it. They already put in over 15 million dollars to take the loop out, get new cars and retrack it.

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As little as a week before the park opened, Mr. Helbig was still telling the local press that no decision had been made.

And being a PR guy, he may be walking the fine official line right now. I personally believe that decision is made, has now been reviewed and agreed to with the new guy, but is just not ready for announcement yet - which leads me to beleive SBNO for 2012, construction area in 2013, new ride/attraction and update to AZ in 2014.

There are all kinds of reasons that a business would not want to announce plans too soon.

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And being a PR guy, he may be walking the fine official line right now. I personally believe that decision is made, has now been reviewed and agreed to with the new guy, but is just not ready for announcement yet - which leads me to beleive SBNO for 2012, construction area in 2013, new ride/attraction and update to AZ in 2104.

That sure is a long time to wait for a new attraction, I think I need to have a talk with Doc. Brown.

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Assuming the info TheLip2 reported is accurate and SOB will be replaced with another coater , what type would you like to see be put in it's place? Although it may cause confusion that another wood coaster be erected in the same spot, I would like to see a new woodie there. I think the line up of steel coasters we have is good and could use another awesome woodie.

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This is the second time I essentially have been called a liar here. I will think long and hard before posting here again. All I can tell you is that Matt Ouimet's body language, facial expression and words clearly were saying that the Son of Beast is gone. Believe me, don't believe me, it really doesn't matter. Yes, I even found it strange he would tell me that, especially since I never really asked any questions about the park or the future other than when I asked him about a Luminocity type show and that was only because he brought that show up to begin with.

I would also not that Greg said that taking guests up into the International Restaurant would be a regular occurence. He stated that they would be asking about 20 guests to go up there on any given night. I would also note that he did not say exactly how frequently. He used the word "regularly" so infer what you will.

If anyone would like to go on the record and wager a friendly adult beverage with me (To be consumed at Hank's) regarding the future of SOB please feel free to state so below and I will do my best to hold you to your word. Lol

I will also stress that Matt was very charming, gracious and easy to talk with. More than anything he was asking a lot of questions about where I lived, favorite park, how often I came, whether I had a pass, etc. I did bring up the fact that I never eat in the park and that I appreciated what appeared to be an effort to improve the quality of the food this year. He stated that the prices were out of line with the quality and that the quality had to improve or the price had to be lower. He seemed to be saying that they would be striving for better food at roughly the same price points. He also said that he thought that the season passes provided exceptional value. It seemed that he might be indicating that those prices might be higher in the future.

I have a been a casino dealer/supervisor for the last 16 years so I might be fairly adept at reading body language and communicating with people and being able to read between the lines a little based on body language, facial expressions, etc. - lol Mr. Ouimet appeared to be VERY SINCERE, extremely energetic and eager to learn from the guests. Believe what you want.

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Assuming the info TheLip2 reported is accurate and SOB will be replaced with another coater , what type would you like to see be put in it's place? Although it may cause confusion that another wood coaster be erected in the same spot, I would like to see a new woodie there. I think the line up of steel coasters we have is good and could use another awesome woodie.

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See the topic title. Like it or not, Son of Beast looms over the park. Its future, or lack thereof, is a key leading indicator of Kings Island's, Cedar Fair's and Matt Ouimet's futures. That is reality.

Among the best evidence of that? We are told Mr. Ouimet brought it up with no prompting from the poster. Perhaps you should ask yourself why Mr. Ouimet himself considers the ride's future that important.

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See the topic title. Like it or not, Son of Beast looms over the park. Its future, or lack thereof, is a key leading indicator of Kings Island's, Cedar Fair's and Matt Ouimet's futures. That is reality.

Among the best evidence of that? We are told Mr. Ouimet brought it up with no prompting from the poster. Perhaps you should ask yourself why Mr. Ouimet himself considers the ride's future that important.

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I would not necessarily so easily paint Lip as a liar. That's ridiculous. At the same time, Lip, this is something you simply have to expect, especially when it comes to something like the future of SOB.

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I haven't seen him, but someone who is approachable was sorely needed. I am hopeful with the changes taking place. I went by the diner and the burgers actually smelled good. Some of the prices have gone down as well.

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I would not necessarily so easily paint Lip as a liar. That's ridiculous. At the same time, Lip, this is something you simply have to expect, especially when it comes to something like the future of SOB.

I disagree. The purpose of discussion is to exchange differing viewpoints without making it personal-something everyone needs to work on.

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I would not necessarily so easily paint Lip as a liar. That's ridiculous. At the same time, Lip, this is something you simply have to expect, especially when it comes to something like the future of SOB.

Strangely enough I expected it. I told Kristin (girlfriend) that when I told her I thought I should post that info here. I should also note that I told him that I was an enthusiast and that I like to keep up with the parks and that I go online and read at the forums, etc. He knew exactly what he was doing when he said what he said. This man is extremely intelligent. When he finished making the remark about the SOB I asked if that was why he had came down and was in the park today. He said something to the effect of , "that and a few other things." The way he said it to me made it sound like the "other things" were more important than the SOB and I would also note that when he made that remark it was the only time I felt like he was holding back or being intentionally vague or secretive.

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As a great man once told me "man can resort to the most primative of ways", i am deeply sorry for this occurence Scott. Many "extreme fanatics" can go a tad bit overboard on the SOB decisions, which could lead to many occurences. Its just a very long and quite interesting topic, since no one else was at the place that you were, many are sceptic about your occurence. Only you and Mr. O. know what happened on that day, and only you could say what is the truth. Now i will not take any kind of side on liar or truth maker, but heed this word, facts must support a statement.